Ranger Trainer vs Garmin GPS Trainer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Ranger Trainer
This app offers an instrument navigation trainer for the TH-57C Sea Ranger helicopter. It provides free features for radial interception and beacon tracking, with a full version offering advanced wind modeling, directional gyro failure practice, and multiple display options.
- Instrument navigation training
- Radial interception
- NDB tracking
- Rate turns
- Wind modeling
- Partial-panel practice
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Get your head in the clouds with this instrument trainer for the TH-57C Sea Ranger. Why sit behind a computer screen or fight for simulator time when you can have the next best thing with this app! Free features include navigation aid radial interception and non-directional beacon tracking information, and standard and half-standard rate turns at a set airspeed. Full version features include a variety of airspeeds, accurate wind modeling of up to 140 knots with ground track references, selectable navigation needles and sources, selectable NAVAID with/without DME, ability to fail directional gyro for partial-panel practice, and multiple display and orientation options. *** This application is not endorsed by the Department of Defense ***
Garmin GPS Trainer
This app simulates the user interface of a GPS navigator, allowing users to explore its features and operational aspects. It's ideal for improving avionics familiarity and preparing for flights by practicing flight plans.
- Simulated multi-touch and drag interface
- Garmin SafeTaxi with airport information
- High resolution terrain and aviation databases
- Obstacle databases with power line alerting
- Simulated ADS-B Traffic and FIS-B Weather
- Chair fly flight plans
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The Garmin GPS Trainer simulates the system user interface and provides the opportunity to explore the features, options, and fundamental operational aspects of the avionics. When used in combination with the GPS Navigator Series Pilot’s Guide, the trainer can be an effective way to improve avionics familiarity and proficiency at a time and location convenient to the user. The Trainer is also a great way to prepare for a flight because a user can load the anticipated flight plan and “chair fly” the avionics portion of the flight before entering the aircraft. The GPS Trainer includes: • Simulated multi-touch and drag interface – allows you to interact with the system, graphically edit flight plans, and much more • Garmin SafeTaxi – allows you to view detailed airport information on the moving map • High resolution worldwide terrain maps and aviation databases • High resolution obstacle databases including power line alerting • Simulated interfaces and data including: -- ADS-B Traffic with TargetTrend™ Relative Motion -- FIS-B Weather with animated NEXRAD -- Airspaces, airways, and Visual Reporting Points * Note: This app contains simulated data and does not receive data from or interact with real Garmin avionics. This app should not be used for actual navigation purposes.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Ranger Trainer at 4.6 against Garmin GPS Trainer's 2.1. Ranger Trainer also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months) and device support (3 vs 1). Garmin GPS Trainer's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and review sentiment (33% vs 0%). On price, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Ranger Trainer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Garmin GPS Trainer asks for nothing beyond the download.
Ranger Trainer holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 2.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 19 and 28 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 0% of Ranger Trainer's written reviews are positive against 33% of Garmin GPS Trainer's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Ranger Trainer ships an update monthly, Garmin GPS Trainer every 3 months. Both last shipped on November 2, 2026.
| Parameter | Ranger Trainer | Garmin GPS Trainer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (19 ratings) — better | 2.1 (28 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | 33.3% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 19 | 28 — better |
| Update frequency | Monthly — better | Every 3 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 — better | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 20 MB | 1.3 GB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Matthew Krivohlavy | Garmin DCI |
Customer experience
Ranger Trainer
Garmin GPS Trainer
In-app purchases
Ranger Trainer
- Full Version$1.99
Garmin GPS Trainer
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Ranger Trainer free?
Is Garmin GPS Trainer free?
Which has better reviews, Ranger Trainer or Garmin GPS Trainer?
Do Ranger Trainer or Garmin GPS Trainer have ads?
Which is updated more often, Ranger Trainer or Garmin GPS Trainer?
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